Ecclestone wants Patrick to spearhead F1's female driver revolution

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Updated 1751 GMT (0151 HKT) March 13, 2013

Photos: Female driver Danica Patrick38 photos

Danica Patrick through the years – Danica Patrick has made racing history, becoming the first woman in the history of NASCAR to win the pole for any race. Here, Patrick sits in her car during practice for the AdvoCare 500 at Phoenix International Raceway in 2012 in Avondale, Arizona. This slide show looks back at Patrick's exciting career through the years.

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Photos: Female driver Danica Patrick38 photos

Danica Patrick through the years – Patrick sits in her car during the Open Test in 2005 in Phoenix.

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Danica Patrick through the years – Patrick speaks with her crew during practice for the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg in 2005 on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida.

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Danica Patrick through the years – From left: Vitor Meira, Patrick and Tony Kanaan pose for a photograph in 2005 in Times Square.

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Danica Patrick through the years – Patrick looks on during Pole Day Qualifying for the Indianapolis 500 in 2005.

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Danica Patrick through the years – Patrick waits during practice for the Bombardier Learjet 500 in 2005 in Fort Worth, Texas.

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Danica Patrick through the years – Patrick rounds the track during practice for the Bombardier Learjet 500 in 2005.

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Danica Patrick through the years – Patrick is seen driving a Ferrari during the previews to the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix in 2005 in Indianapolis.

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Danica Patrick through the years – Actor Patrick Dempsey and Danica Patrick make their presentation at the 13th Annual ESPY Awards at the Kodak Theatre in 2005 in Hollywood.

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Danica Patrick through the years – Patrick poses for a photograph during a media day in 2006 in Homestead, Florida.

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Danica Patrick through the years – Patrick walks the runway during a Marie Claire and Tissot fall fashion preview show at the Fashion Show Mall in 2006 in Las Vegas.

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Danica Patrick through the years – Patrick drives during practice for the Argent Mortgage Indy Grand Prix in 2005 in Sonoma, California.

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Danica Patrick through the years – Patrick prepares to get in her car during practice for the SunTrust Indy Challenge in 2007 in Richmond, Virginia.

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Danica Patrick through the years – Patrick prepares during practice for the Bombardier Learjet 550k in 2007 in Fort Worth, Texas.

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Danica Patrick through the years – Patrick waits to get in her car during practice for the SunTrust Indy Challenge in 2007 in Richmond, Virginia.

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Danica Patrick through the years – Tony Kanaan, right, and Patrick celebrate after placing first and second in the Detroit Indy Grand Prix in 2007 in Detroit.

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Danica Patrick through the years – Patrick is seen during practice for the ABC Supply/A.J. Foyt 225 in 2008 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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Danica Patrick through the years – Patrick gets ready for practice for the PEAK Antifreeze & Motor Oil Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma County in 2008 in California.

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Danica Patrick through the years – Patrick walks the runway at the 10th Annual Gridiron Glamour Show in 2008 in Scottsdale, Arizona.

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Danica Patrick through the years – Patrick poses with the trophy after winning the Bridgestone Indy Japan 300 Mile in 2008 in Motegi, Japan.

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Danica Patrick through the years – Patrick poses for a portrait during media day at Barber Motorsports Park in 2009 in Leeds, Alabama.

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Danica Patrick through the years – Patrick waits during qualifying for the Indianapolis 500 in 2009.

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Danica Patrick through the years – Patrick in car No. 7 leads a group during the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 in 2010 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

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Danica Patrick through the years – A detail shot of Patrick's shoes on the grid before the New England 200 in 2010 in Loudon, New Hampshire.

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Danica Patrick through the years – Patrick loses control of her car during the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 in 2010.

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Danica Patrick through the years – Patrick signs autographs during qualifying for the CARFAX 250 in 2010 in Brooklyn, Michigan.

Danica Patrick through the years – Patrick attends an Auto Club Speedway and Tissot's event in 2010 in Hollywood.

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Danica Patrick through the years – Patrick pits during the Dollar General 300 in 2010 in Concord, North Carolina.

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Danica Patrick through the years – Patrick poses for a photograph during a media day at Daytona International Speedway in 2011 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

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Danica Patrick through the years – Patrick waits in the rain while her car is covered during qualifying for the Indianapolis 500 in 2011.

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Danica Patrick through the years – Patrick speaks to a crew member in the garage at Daytona International Speedway in 2012.

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Danica Patrick through the years – Patrick gets out of her car after qualifying for the Daytona 500 in 2012.

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Danica Patrick through the years – Patrick sits in her car in the garage area during practice for the VFW Sport Clips Help a Hero 200 in 2012 in Darlington, South Carolina.

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Danica Patrick through the years – Patrick drives during practice for the History 300 in 2012 in Concord, North Carolina.

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Danica Patrick through the years – Patrick drives as flames shoot from the back of her car after an incident in the AdvoCare 500 in 2012 in Avondale, Arizona.

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Danica Patrick through the years – Patrick applies make-up before an interview during the 2013 NASCAR media day at Daytona International Speedway on Thursday, February 14, 2013, in Daytona Beach, Florida.

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Danica Patrick through the years – Patrick speaks to the media after qualifying for the Daytona 500 on Sunday, February 17, 2013, in Daytona Beach, Florida.

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Story highlights

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone wants more women in the sport

The last woman to race an F1 car was Italian Lella Lombardi in 1976.

Susie Wolff is the only female driver in the sport heading into the 2013 season

Scotland's Wolff works as development driver for Williams

Danica Patrick stunned the watching world at last month's Daytona 500 when she became the first female driver to claim pole position at any top-division NASCAR race.

The American smashed yet another hole in the myth that motorsport is just for men -- and her achievements have not gone unnoticed by Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone, who wants her to challenge the likes of world champion Sebastian Vettel and title rival Fernando Alonso.

"There should be no reason why not, providing that we find a team to take her," Ecclestone said in an interview with the official F1 website.

"Danica would be good to have with one of the teams now. All the things that people worry about -- whether a woman can cope with the G-forces and all that -- she has proven that she can.